Hand and foot operated hobby horse swing



July 9, 1968 w. D. SCALF 3,391,932

HAND AND FOOT OPERATED HOBBY HORSE SWING Filed Sept. 17, 1965 2Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. IC?- 3. W/LL/AM 0. $044 Filed Sept. 17, 1965July 9, 1968 w. D. SCALF HAND AND FOOT OPERATED HOBBY HORSE SWING 2Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 4.

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United States Patent 3,391,932 HAND AND FOOT OPERATED HOBBY HORSE SWINGWilliam D. Scalf, Box 227, Barbourville, Ky. 40906 Filed Sept. 17, 1965,Ser. No. 488,219 3 Claims. (Cl. 272-87) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Aswinging hobby horse consisting of a simulated horses body having apivoted front portion including a simulated horses head and front leg,and a pivoted rear portion including a simulated horses hind quarter andrear leg. The front and rear portions are swingably-suspended by linkrods from a top frame bar. A simulated saddle is adjustably-mounted onthe top edge portion of the simulated horses body. The rear link rod isbowed rearwardly away from its pivotal connection to provide addedclearance. The front link rod has a connection yoke with a transversepivot sleeve serving as a handgrip. A foot rest rod is provided on thelower portion of the simulated front leg.

This invention relates to a novel amusement apparatus, and moreparticularly, a hobby horse on which a child can sit and swing.

It is an object of this invention to provide a swinging hobby horse forthe amusement of a child.

A further object of this invention resides in designing the swinginghobby horse of the present invention so as to simulate the gallopingmotion of a horse when swung, thereby providing for the greaterenjoyment and amusement of the user.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an amusementapparatus of the character indicated which is safe in use, and isespecially provided with lateral stability precluding substantial sway.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide an amusement devicecomprising a swinging hobby horse which is constructed to permit therider to initiate swinging of the hobby horse from his seated position.

Another object of this invention resides in the construction of a hobbyhorse amusement device which can be conveniently shipped and stored in aknock-down condition, and which is easily and efiiciently assembled.

Still another object of this invention resides in a provision of anamusement apparatus of the character indicated which requires littlemaintenance and attention.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be- I come apparentfrom the following description and claims and from the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the amusement apparatus comprising thesubject matter of the instant invention;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary crosssectional view taken substantially alongthe plane indicated by the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a side elevational view of a portion of the amusementapparatus comprising the subject matter of the instant invention, asseen from the left hand side of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary end view in elevation of the amusementapparatus of the present invention, as seen from the plane indicated bythe line 44 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the planeindicated by the line 55 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 6 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the planeindicated by the line 66 of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially alongthe plane indicated by the line 77 of FIGURE 4;

3,391,932 Patented July 9, 1968 FIGURE 8 is a cross-sectional view takensubstantially along the plane indicated by the line 8--8 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 9 is a side view in elevation similar to FIG- URE 3, but showingthe hobby horse of the amusement apparatus of the present invention atone extreme position of its swinging movement; and

FIGURE 10 is a view similar to FIGURE 9, but illustrating the hobbyhorse in the other extreme position of its swinging movement.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, the numeral 10 designates ahobby horse adapted to be mounted for swinging movement along its lengthon a frame generally designated by the numeral 12.

The frame 12 consists of a pair of parallel, spaced, inverted V-shapedend pieces connected by a cross bar 14. Each end piece includes a pairof divergent legs. The divergent legs 16 and 18 of one of the end piecesare connected by a tri-leg corner pipe joint 23 to the cross bar 14,while in a similar manner, the divergent legs 20 and 22 of the other endpiece of the frame 12 are connected by a tri-leg corner pipe joint 23 tothe opposite end of the cross bar 14 Each of the legs 16, 18, 20, and 22terminates in a foot 24, thereby enabling the frame to be positionedupon a substantally flat supporting surface.

The hobby horse It} is suspended from the cross bar 14 of the frame 12by a pair of parallel, rigid suspension rods 23 and 30. The rods 28 and39 are swivelly connected to the cross bar 14 of the frame 12. In orderto effect the swivel connection, the rod 28 terminates in an upperbifurcated end or yoke 34. Similarly, the rod 30 terminates in an upperbifurcated end or yoke 32. Spaced lateral tubes 36 (FIGURE 2) are Weldedto the lower surface of the cross bar 14 of the frame 12, and areadapted to receive a swivel bolt 38 which passes through the arms of theyokes 32 and 34. The bolts 38 are adapted to rotate within the lateraltubes 36, thereby enabling the rigid rods 28 and 30 to swing.

The legs 16, 18, 20, 22 of the frame 12 can be adjusted in height bymererly adding pipe sections to pipe connector fittings 26. In a likemanner, the cross bar 14 can be adjusted in length to vary the breadthof the amusement apparatus. The length of the rods 28 and 30 are alsoadjustable in a similar fashion, thus enabling the hobby horse 10 to belowered or raised with respect to the supporting surface.

The lower end of the rigid suspension rod 28 terminates in a lowerbifurcated end or yoke 46 for connection to the hobby horse It). Therigid suspension rod 30 terminates in a lower bifurcated end or yoke 42for securement to the hobby horse 10. The suspension rods are connectedto the hobby horse in such a manner, as will readily become apparenthereinafter, that the motion imparted to the hobby horse will simulatethe gallop of a real horse.

The hobby horse 10 comprises a front part generally designated by thenumeral 44 simultating a horses head, shoulders, and front legs. Thesimulation of the body of a horse is effected by a middle part generallydesignated by the numeral 46 which :is hinged to the front part 44 in amanner hereinafter appearing. The remainder of the hobby horse 10consists of a back part generally designated by the numeral 48simulating a horses rear legs, hindquarter, and tail. The back part 48is hingedly connected to the middle part 46 at an end opposite from thehinged connection of the middle part to the front part 44.

The middle part 46 of the hobby horse 10 includes a pair of spaced,parallel boards 50 and 52. A transverse pivot bolt 54 extends throughthe boards 50, 52 and through, approximately, the middle of the frontpart 44 disposed between the boards 50 and 52 adjacent one end thereof.The front part 44 as shown in the drawings is shaped and decorated tosimulate the front part of a 3 horse, that is a head 56, a neck 58,chest or shoulder portion 60, and front leg portions 62.

The head 56 is formed with a groove 110 into which the neck 58 ofthe'front part 44 is fitted. A tube 66 is press-fitted through alignedopenings in the head 56 and neck 58 and extends laterally from bothsides of the head. A fastener 108 extends from the top surface of theneck 58 into the tube 66 as illustrated in FIGURE 4 to bind the neck andhead together as an integral unit. The tube 66 also functions as ahandgrip for the hobby horse rider.

A transverse rod 64 extends laterally from both sides of and through thefront legs 62 of the front part 44 of the hobby horse 10. The transverserod 64 acts as a foot rest for the rider of hobby horse 10. The handgrip66 and the foot rest 64 are on opposite sides of the transverse pivotbolt 54, hingedly connecting the front part 44 to the boards and 52 ofthe middle part 46.

The lower bifurcated end or yoke 40 of the rigid suspension rod 28 isadapted to be swivelly connected to the ends of the handgrip tube '66,as shown in FIGURES 4 and 7. Each end of the handgrip tube 66 isprovided with a press-fitted, nylon, self-lubricating bushing 68. Thebushing 68 rotatably receives a swivel pin 70 having a reduced,threaded, outer end portion 72. The threaded portion 72 of each swivelpin 78 passes through an aperture 74 on opposite ends of the yoke 40 andis secured thereto by means of a washer '76 and nut 78.

As shown in FIGURES 3, 5, and 6, the back part 48 of the hobby horse isdisposed between the boards 50 and 52 of the middle part 46 at the endof the middle part opposite from the front part 44. The back part 48 ishingedly connected to the boards 50 and 52 by means of a transversepivot bolt 89 passing through the boards 50 and 52 and the back part 48.The back part 48 as shown in the drawings is shaped and decorated tosimulate the back part of a horse, that is the hindquarters 81, rearlegs 82, and tail 84.

The pivot bolt 8% passes through the opposed legs of the yoke 42, FIGURE5, on the lower end of the rigid suspension rod 30. The yoke 42straddles the hindquarters 81 of the back part 48 of the hobby horse 10.The yoke 42 is secured to the hindquarters 81 by means of offsetfasteners 88 and 90 so that movement of the suspension rod is impartedto the whole back part 48 as the rod 30 swings at its upper end. Inother words, movement of the rod 30 will move the back part 48 about thetransverse pivot bolt 80. This will synchronize movement of thesimulated rear legs 82 with the simulated front legs 62 in order to givethe hobby horse 10 the appearance of galloping as it is being swung.This is shown in FIGURES 9 and 10, wherein the extreme positions ofswinging movement of the hobby horse 10 are illustrated.

The pivot bolt 80 passes through a nylon bushing 86 press-fitted in thesimulated hindquarters 81 of the back part 48. This renders the hingeconnection self-lubricating and substantially maintenance free. The sameconstruction is provided for the pivot bolt 54 passing through the frontpart 44 of the hobby horse 1%.

A seat 94 simulating a saddle is provided and mounted on top of theboards and 52. The seat is adjustable along the length of the boards 50and 52 by means of a tongue 1'34 depending from the lower surface of theseat. The tongue 104 is adapted to be selectively received within one ofa number of aligned grooves 106 along the top of the boards 59, 52.

The central portion of the seat 94 is provided with 2. depending portionhaving an eye 96. The seat 94 is locked in adjusted position on themiddle part 46 by providing an anchor block 98 beneath the parallelboards 50, 52. The another block 98 includes an upwardly extending eye169 intermediate the boards 50, 52. A coil spring 102 is placed undertension and connected to the eyes 96 and 100. The spring 102 being undertension, will pull the seat 94 towards the anchor block 98 and cause thetongue 104 to lock snugly within a selected one of the aligned grooves166.

Reference to FIGURE 3 will illustrate that the lower portion of thesuspension rod 30 is curved or bowed away from the middle part 46 of thehobby horse 10. This enables the rider to comfortably use the hobbyhorse 10. For example, if the rider is seated on the seat 94, which hasbeen moved to the rear portion of the hobby horse 1%, swinging movementof the hobby horse towards its back part would tend to throw the riderrearwardly with the possibility of the rider striking the rod 30. Thisis precluded by bowing the rod.

Swinging motion may be initiated by the rider from a. seated position onthe hobby horse 10 by simply applying pressure with the feet on the footrest 64 and by pushing or pulling with the hands on the handgrip 66.This will cause the front part 44 of the hobby horse to rock about thepivot bolt 54 which in turn will cause oscillation of the suspensionrods. The initiation of the swinging motion by rocking the front part ofthe hobby horse also provides valuable exercise to the rider. Hence,larger models of the instant invention could be used by adults as anexercise device.

The rigid suspension rod construction wherein the suspension rods liesubstantially in a single vertical plane prevents lateral sway of thehobby horses 10, rendering the same safe for children who otherwisemight fall laterally from the horse. Further, the simple, unitaryconstruction comprises a minimum number of components rendering theamusement apparatus easy to assemble, but yet capable of being readilyknocked down for shipment and storage purposes. The nylon bushings atthe hinged swivel joints render the construction substantiallymaintenance free. Finally, swinging movement of the hobby horse 10 willalways simulate the galloping of a real horse, as both the rear legs andfront legs will be in motion relative to the supporting frame and middlepart.

While a specific embodiment of my invention has been disclosed in theforegoing description, it will be understood that various modificationsWithin the spirit of the invention may occur to those skilled in theart. Therefore, it is intended that no limitations be placed on theinvention except as defined by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Amusement apparatus comprising a hobby horse, said hobby horseincluding a front part simulating a horses head, shoulders and frontlegs, a back part simulating a horses rear legs, hind quarters and tail,and a middle part disposed between said front and back parts simulatinga horses body, said front and back parts being hingedly-connected tosaid middle part at opposite ends thereof, a frame, and means connectedat spaced points to said front and back parts for suspending said hobbyhorse from said frame for swinging movement along its length, wherebyswinging movement of said hobby horse will simulate the gallup of ahorse due to simultaneous movement of said front and back parts, saidsuspension means including a first rigid rod connected to said back partand frame, a second rigid rod connected to said front part and frame insubstantially parallel, coplanar relation to said first rod, wherebylateral sway of said hobby horse is substantially precluded during itsswinging movement, said middle part including substantially parallel,spaced-apart boards, said front and back hinged-connected parts beingdisposed between said spaced-apart boards, said first and second rigidrods, having bifurcated terminal portions at each end thereof, means forsWivelly-connecting each of the bifurcated ends at one end of said rodsto said frame, the bifurcated terminal portion at the other end of saidfirst rigid rod being disposed so as to straddle the back part betweenthe parallel boards of said middle part, means rigidly-fastening saidbifurcated end to said back part, a handgrip, said handgrip including anelongated rod through and extending laterally from both sides of saidfront part, means for sWivelly-connecting the bifurcated terminalportion at the other end of said second rigid rod to opposed ends ofsaid handgrip rod, and a footrest, said footrest including an elongatedrod through and extending laterally from said front part below saidhandgrip rod and hinged connection between said front part and middlepart, said handgrip and footrest enabling the rider of said hobby horseto rock said front part about its hinged connection to said middle partfor initiating swinging movement of said horse on said frame.

2. Amusement apparatus comprising a hobby horse, said hobby horseincluding a front part simulating a horses head, shoulders and frontlegs, a back part simulating a horses rear legs, hind quarters and tail,and a middle part disposed between said front and back parts simulatinga horses body, said front and back parts being hingedly-connected tosaid middle part at opposite ends thereof, a frame, and means connectedat spaced points to said front and back parts for suspending said hobbyhorse from said frame for swinging movement along its length, wherebyswinging movement of said hobby horse will simulate the gallop of ahorse due to simultaneous pivotal movement of said front and back parts,said suspension means including a first rigid rod connected to said backpart and frame, a second rigid rod connected to said front part andframe in substantially parallel, coplanar relation to said first rod,whereby lateral sway of said hobby horse is substantially precludedduring its swinging movement, said middle part including substantiallyparallel, spaced-apart boards, said front and back parts beinghingedly-connected to said boards at opposite ends thereof and disposedtherebetween, means for swivelly-connecting one end of each of said rodsto said frame, the terminal portion at the other end of said first rigidrod being fastened to said back part, a handgrip, said handgripincluding an elongated rod through and extending laterally from bothsides of said front part, means for connecting the terminal portion atthe other end of said second rigid rod to said handgrip rod, a footrest, said foot rest including an elongated rod through and extendinglaterally from said front part below said handgrip rod and hingedconnection between said front part and middle part, said handgrip andfoot rest enabling the rider of said hobby horse to rock said front partabout its hinged connection to said middle part for initiating swingingmovement of said horse on said frame, a seat on said hobby horsesimultating a saddle, and means for adjustably-mounting said seat alongthe length of said middle part on said boards, said mounting meansincluding a series of spaced grooves on the top of said boards, adepending tongue on said seat for mating engagement with a selected oneof said groves, and means between the parallel boards of said middlepart for locking said tongue in seated engagement with said groove. 3.Amusement apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said first rigidrod is bowed away from said middle part adjacent its connection to saidback part.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 935,854 10/1909 Linerode 272-1,566,765 12/1925 Natale 272-54 1,874,345 8/1932 Parrott 272- 2,092,9939/1937 Tinker 272-87 2,371,384 3/1945 Dyer 272-87 2,478,673 8/ 1949Soderholm 272-87 2,525, 77 10/1950 Schwartz 272-53.1 2,533,482 12/1950Liesner 272-37 X 3,271,029 10/1966 Grudoski 272-87 FOREIGN PATENTS165,493 10/1955 Australia.

ANTON O. OECHSLE, Primary Examiner.

A W. KRAMER, Assistant Examiner.

